Rally in support of political prisoners to be held in Yerevan on Thursday

A rally in support of Armenian political prisoners is scheduled to take place outside the Prosecutor General’s Office in Yerevan on Thursday.

Human rights lawyers Varazdat Harutyunyan and Ruben Melikyan have long argued that the issue of political prisoners requires urgent attention from opposition parties. Speaking to Panorama.am, Melikyan said now is the “right moment” to address the matter, warning that it may be too late once political forces fully enter the election cycle.

They estimate that nearly 30 people in Armenia are currently imprisoned for political reasons. Melikyan has proposed the setup of a commission comprising opposition members and independent human rights advocates to examine the cases and offer comprehensive solutions.

Harutyunyan urged opposition parties to “set aside all disagreements” and form a united platform to work toward securing the prisoners’ release.

Ishkhan Saghatelyan, an MP from the opposition Hayastan faction, echoed the concern, stressing that the political prisoners include clergymen, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, an MP, bloggers, opposition mayors and parents of fallen soldiers.